Saving This (The McCallans #5) (9 page)

Max didn’t say much as he paid his tab, left a generous tip for the private wait staff, and performed his customary photo op before they left. He made sure he mentioned he was “just passing through” so it would get passed on to the media if it went that far. He didn’t need for people to know he was staying in the area.

His inclination to apologize to Anna for the inconvenience was kept to himself as they left. She could either deal with it or leave him the hell alone. And then he felt like shit for making himself think those things; things he’d learned from his dad over the past twenty-seven years.

That battle of constantly sorting his words and actions with people was extremely tiresome.

Chapter Eleven

Anna remained quiet during the ride back from the restaurant. Max was driving his friend’s Jeep, and even though she enjoyed the classic rock on the radio, she didn’t like his otherwise somber mood. The guy was a schizophrenic mess. In the time she’d spent with him, she’d probably witnessed six different personalities exude from him.

He dropped her off at the house she was staying at, and before she had barely thanked him for dinner, he was already heading back to Quentin’s like he couldn’t get rid of her fast enough. His spoiled, wealthy ass made it seem like she wasn’t good enough to be around him.

It pissed her off, and quite frankly, made her even more upset that he could get under her skin. It was obvious he didn’t give a shit about her and considered himself above her. Why else would he bring up a million dollar watch? If not to sound rich, he at least wanted her to know he was on an entirely different level than she was.

“Ugh, what a dick,” she groaned to herself as she stripped off her clothes to change into sweats. But as she curled up on the couch with a blanket, ready to watch a movie, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

It was his eyes. Sometimes she could look into them and other times she forced herself not to. He had beautiful eyes, vibrant sapphire blue, but on occasion he was saying one thing only it seemed like he was thinking another. And even though he acted like an ass, that too-good-for-other-people attitude he displayed so well often seemed…
calculated
. She’d caught on to his personality early on—he liked to confuse her, mix things up so she couldn’t get a closer look at who he really was—but he sure as hell did a good job at it. He made her feel like she was a simple girl—plain with no exceptional qualities—and the toughest truth to accept was that he was damn good at making her feel that way. She’d never cared what people thought of her. Being confident was something that came natural.

And now one guy comes along and fucks it all up.

Sighing, Anna pressed the remote to start the movie. This house was huge and even had a two-story movie theatre downstairs, but the thought of sitting in a forty-seat private home theatre on her own was daunting as well as depressing. She mainly stuck to the guest wing she was staying in, which had its own bedroom, bathroom, and little living room with a kitchenette. It also had a side door that led to the hot tub out back, so really, what more was needed? Her apartment in Ventura wasn’t much bigger than
one-sixteenth
of this monstrous house.

Her phone buzzed with a text. Assuming it was her mom, she swiped the screen to read it, pausing at the unfamiliar number staring back at her. Then she read the message below it.

If you sell my number I’ll have no choice but to frame you for murder. Other than that…ready for dessert?

Realizing it was Max, she couldn’t help but smile. However, his cold indifference at dinner was still rubbing her the wrong way. Maybe it was because she’d turned down his offer for dessert at the restaurant? He didn’t do much except shrug and ask for the check when she declined, but after that, she felt like his mood turned even more detached. Possibly she’d hurt his feelings, but he didn’t appear to be the type to care if she chose dessert or not. It seemed more like he asked out of obligation, not because he wanted to spend more time with her.

And now she had no idea how to respond. Was he tossing innuendos at her? Or was he really talking about food?

Anna: What if I say no?

She waited for a response, feeling nervous about how he’d react. It wasn’t like her to care, but since she sat there staring at the screen until he replied, she knew she
did
care.

Max: Then you’ll have to tell me to my face since I’m on my way over

Her heart started to thud heavier in her chest, and for some reason, she was glancing around the room in a panic—searching for another response, or her feelings, or an explanation for what was going on right now.

Anna: Come around to the side door then. It’s unlocked.

It wasn’t, but she hopped up to flip the deadbolt open. Sure enough, she saw him coming across the front of the house for the second driveway on her end and she quickly made a beeline for the couch again, throwing the blanket over her lap like it was going to make her feel more secure.

Max lightly rapped on the door and then opened it, pausing as he peeked inside. When he noticed her on the couch, she motioned him in.

“Living on the edge, huh?” he asked, shutting the door behind him. “You really shouldn’t leave the doors unlocked.”

She only shrugged, then tried to discreetly look him over. He was wearing a different shirt than he’d had on during dinner, and damn, he looked ridiculously sexy standing there—no matter which personality he’d brought with him.

He held up what was in his hand, a brown paper bag with a silhouette of the resort printed on the side. “I went back for dessert. I should have just grabbed it to go the first time but…”

Pausing again, he waited for her answer. But Anna was sort of at a loss for words right now. Earlier he acted like he didn’t want to be around her, but now he was back with dessert?

“I’m intrigued,” she replied, meaning more that he was right there in front of her rather than the food he’d actually brought.

He entered the room further and set the bag on the coffee table, dropping onto the couch next to her. Pulling out a cardboard box, he flipped it open to reveal its contents.

It was chocolate cake. And not just any chocolate cake, but it was the four-layer chocolate fudge cake from the menu she’d eyed before they’d even ordered dinner.

Max stuck a plastic fork in the middle of it and handed it over. “It wants to be eaten.”

She studied him for a second, noticing that particular gleam in his eye she was starting to get familiar with. Then the smirk appeared, and damn if that didn’t force her to bite back a smile. He arched that eyebrow too, causing her to shake her head.

“You’re eyebrowing me,” she stated. “And why are you here? You couldn’t ditch me fast enough before.”

The smile disappeared from his face instantly and he stood. “Then I’ll leave you alone.”

She scoffed with frustration as he walked to the door. “Max.”

He paused but didn’t turn around. Instead, she could see his shoulders drop as he exhaled.

“I’d like you to stay,” she said. “I’m just pointing out the fact that you acted as if I was a pain in your ass earlier. I either am or I’m not, so which is it? I’m sick of being given the runaround.”

Time ticked by for several seconds before he turned around. His focus was on the TV, but he answered, “You’re not a pain in the ass.” He’d spoken so quietly, she’d barely heard him. “I’m just not sure I should spend time with you.”

Anna removed the blanket from her lap and stood, setting the cake on the coffee table. She carefully made her way across the room toward him. “You said you’re not sure if you ‘should’.” Pausing, she bit her lip in thought and took another step closer. She was right in front of him, inches from touching his body, and he finally looked at her face. “Does that also mean you don’t
want
to?”

“No,” he replied instantly. “I just can’t make you any promises. It kind of seems like a waste of time on your part. That’s all I’m saying.”

“So you not only pretend to be a pretentious asshole around me, but you’re also going to insult my intelligence even more?”

He quickly took a step back, the scowl on his face apparent. “Insult your intelligence—?”

But he stopped abruptly, studying her for several seconds. His eyes turned sad, regretful in a way, and it instantly made her heart sink. She’d wanted to stand her ground, not make him feel bad.

“Yeah, maybe I do question your intelligence,” he acknowledged. “Your sanity, at least. You can’t possibly prefer being around a guy like me unless it’s for one reason, and if that were the case, I wouldn’t be here. So yes, maybe I do wonder what the hell is wrong with you.”

She chose not to take offense to that last comment. “What reason is that?” she asked, honestly desiring to know. She had an idea, but wanted to hear him say it. “What reason do most people use to be around you? Because if it has to do with your celebrity status, that actually works against you when it comes to my preferences. I’ve been around all of that and it’s not a perk.”

He only stared past her, refusing to look her in the eye. He also didn’t answer the question, and instead, shrugged a casual shoulder like he was dismissing it and didn’t care.

Worry crept from Anna’s chest to the pit of her stomach. Max was actually right. She didn’t belong with a guy who couldn’t be honest with her. How would she ever know when he wasn’t just feeding her a line?

She turned away from him and headed back to the couch, leaving him at the door. “You choose the company you keep, you know. It’s a lovely little thing called free agency. The choices you make are yours, and no one else’s.”

“Easy for you to say,” she heard him mumble.

He hadn’t been looking at her, but then his eyes shifted her way. Sometimes silence said more than anything, and right now, she felt he was asking her to understand. She
didn’t
understand yet—she didn’t come from his exact world or family—but maybe she didn’t need to know details. Maybe he just needed acceptance.

Anna patted the space next to her and picked up the cake again. “I am not eating all of this by myself.” She took a bite, not able to help the moan that escaped her throat. It was absolutely divine.

“Share it with you? Are you trying to watch your figure?” he mused as he returned to the spot next to her.

She laughed before taking another bite. “Hell no, I just don’t want to make myself sick. At least not in one sitting. And you’re not going to point out so-called ‘flaws’ to make me feel inferior to you,” she added. “I don’t care what you think you’re doing but I don’t believe half of what you say. I will admit, though, that you’ve made me feel horrible sometimes. If that’s your goal, you’ve succeeded. I’m only human, and no matter who you are, you have the power to influence how a person feels. However, I’m not going to let it affect my interest in being a friend to you. It’s your choice.”

She took another bite of cake, using the time to assess his reaction to her speech. His face held no expression as he remained on the couch next to her, but he did rest back and stare straight ahead while she ate another bite.

Finally he answered, “I’m sorry for making you feel horrible. It wasn’t my intention.”

“No?” she scoffed with a laugh. “Then tell me…what was your intention?”

Max leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees. She couldn’t help observing him in this position because there was somewhat of a humble regret as he looked down at his hands folded together. She studied his jaw line, and the way he allowed his eyebrows to give away his apprehension right now. The stubble on his face was more evident than it had been earlier, and the fact that he seemed so picture perfect was confusing. This man was so damn striking it left a lump in her throat.

But maybe that was the bite of chocolate fudge she hadn’t swallowed yet.

When he still didn’t answer, Anna set the cake on the coffee table. She tucked her legs up under her and turned to face him. “When was the last time you took a deep breath, let it out, and just…
relaxed
?”

When a short laugh came out of him, she was surprised. He turned her way and said, “Never?”

“And it’s obvious,” she nodded, joining his amusement with a smile. Mustering up some courage, she scooted her back against the couch’s armrest and grabbed one of the small throw pillows for her lap. “Come here.”

He cocked that eyebrow at her again, and instead of letting it affect her, she arched one right back at him and motioned to her lap again. “Put your noggin right here, I’m gonna give you some really amazing head.”

A smile broke out on his face as he stared at her, but she only grinned at him and pointed to her lap. Surprisingly, he moved so his back was lying on the couch and set his head on her lap. With the opportunity to finally touch him, Anna paused with her hands inches from his head. She slid her fingers under his neck, pressing them against his warm skin. She massaged from his neck to his shoulders, and then to the back of his head, repeating this pattern over and over until her hands, wrists, and forearms were aching.

Neither of them said a word. She didn’t prefer him to talk in the first place—she wanted him to just relax and regroup if he could—but in a way, it was almost more intimate than she’d expected. No matter how tired her hands were, she still had the desire to continue touching him. She massaged his head, to his ears, along his jaw, and eventually ended up on his chest. He didn’t protest, so she smoothed her hands over his pecs to the fronts of his shoulders, and then slid them down his upper arms as far as she could reach without shoving her boobs too far into his head. Then she massaged back up until she returned to the back of his neck again.

Anna had suggested this because she felt he needed it, but good God, it was turning her on. She had to force images out of her head—images where she had him naked while she continued to massage him wherever she wanted. These thoughts were arousing, and even though there was a pillow separating his head from her lady parts, just the idea that he was so close provoked the reaction she was having between her legs.